Media Statement
For immediate release
Tuesday, 6 September 2005

Turner welcomes cash for grandparents, but more to be done

United Future deputy leader Judy Turner today said she was pleased the Government had responded to United Future’s continued calls to pay grandparents raising their grandchildren the same as CYFS foster carers by at least raising payments for superannuitants raising their grandchildren.

“It’s a step in the right direction and a strong acknowledgement of United Future’s policy as the only party that’s been pushing this issue for grandparents, but it’s not enough overall,” Mrs Turner said.

“It needs to be for all grandparents raising grandchildren.

“Recent studies have shown significant physical, emotional and financial impacts on these grandparents, so it is not enough just to target superannuitants, although it is a positive start,” she said.

Mrs Turner has repeatedly challenged the Government in Parliament on this issue over the last two years.

“Effectively, these loving grandparents step into the breach and do the same job as CYFS carers but for $30 a week less and with none of the extra expenses that foster carers get taken care of.

“This is simply about fairness,” she said.

A recent Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Trust survey found that more than 40 percent of those looking after their grandchildren were doing so because of drug abuse and addiction issues with their own children.

“They are doing a job that would otherwise fall on social agencies. They should not be hit hard for being loving grandparents doing society and their families a big favour,” Mrs Turner said.

ENDS

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